This sixth week
begins the real challenge, to choose one problem to solve, to work on it, it
may be fun, my students are experiencing all my training as I do, most of the
changes are for good, they are experiencing some new activities: last week we
tried to work on a outdoor activity (amazing response) from my students, perhaps I
just have to shape it a bit more, or on the road we are going to improve, but I
love it (as my students) we take a tour (at first I was the tourist guide) all over our school,
(describing the places, the objects and related things) after that they try, to
do the same as I did. I do not care of how, I loved the way some of them
response, trying to speak, to gesture, to do as I did, (amazing) but some
others just didn’t care, perhaps I’ll do some written activities to accomplish this
kind of “adventures” but I can tell I’ll
repeat this! I don’t care if the others grades students look at us as from
mars! (Partially true)

My students
are experiencing my training with me, I am in the process of the implementation
of the rubric, and they are less ok with it, (Jody was right; I was the only
stressed about it!)
I have been
reading a lot about the large classes,(my work area) for two reasons: I give a bi-monthly lecture (biology, aesthetics
in dentistry, biomaterials ) and my classes are large, not as much as 250, but
35 or more. Oh! How can I forget when I gave my first lecture:
It was….Terrible! I was recently unpacked from a foreign
university residence, it was a mistake to give a lecture with no previous
experience, I knew the topic exactly, I previously prepare a PP presentation,
all ok, but to be with so many eyes on me! (For the first time) it was…
shocking, fortunately I engaged my
audience good and quick enough. And only a few ones notice my initial “rookie”
face! After that all was easy as a pie.
The readings
revealed to me some facts that I already know for my previous experience, as a large
class teacher. I loved specially: “beating
the number’s game” effective teaching in L.C. by Richard M. Felder. He shares useful tips and assorted info to
improve various aspects: assess retention and tips to engage your audience, totally
recommended.
Hi Poncho!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure that your picture depicts my face right now!!
I am terrified since I still haven't done my interactive PPT... Still working on the topic and...the buttons... Anyway!
I am glad that you share and "test" your experiences with your students. Apart from the change you are bringing into the classroom, you also create a kind of "bond", sort of "Look at me! I am a student like you!!"
I, also, enjoyed Felder's article on managing large classes. The largest class I have, though, is about 25 Ss, so I am not sure if it is large enough to be "considered" large.
Keep up the good and inspiring work!
Hello Poncho,
ReplyDeleteI like your post but I like the activity you proposed 'Tour de school by Poncho' even better. I will definitelly do it the next time when our topic is school. Thank you very much!
Marija